My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 587: Chapter 188: Elodie: ”Mr. Tachibana! Please Take Me as Your Disciple!” [Release Explosion 10K]

Time rewinds to about one hour ago—

Edo, the settlement—

The sound of flames burning and ravaging can be heard.

Climbing up walls and ceilings, then spewing out a large amount of dazzling sparks and pungent black smoke.

Behind are the burning houses.

In front lies the street bathed in moonlight.

A familiar scene...

Impossible not to be familiar; I’ve dreamt of this picture repeatedly during this time.

So am I dreaming again... Even in a haze, Elodie immediately realized.

Dreaming again of that night ten days ago, that scene.

The mansion behind, already swallowed by waves of fire; the street ahead, draped in the moon’s thin veil; the night sky overhead; the world extending to the horizon... The sky, the ground, everything appeared shrouded in a layer of dark gray.

Only one place showed vivid colors and brightness.

Right ahead, at no great distance, the arena of one versus sixty-seven.

On that swordsman.

Underneath the silver-white gleaming moonlight, the swordsman swung his sword towards the crowd of foes, towards the darkness ahead.

Resolute, fearless.

...

”Mmm...” Elodie murmured softly and slowly opened her eyes.

What came into view was the familiar ceiling.

Bright sunlight spilled from the south-facing window, dividing Elodie’s bedroom in two.

One half was illuminated by the muted orange light of the window and the side of the room near the window.

The other half remained draped in a thin gray veil covering the wardrobe and room door.

The strict education received since childhood ensured Elodie had no habit of lingering in bed.

With merely a gentle rub of her drowsy eyes, Elodie deftly leapt from the bed, slipped on her slippers, and walked slowly to the window, forcefully pushing it open.

The uniquely fresh morning breeze rushed in through the open window, sweeping away most of the sleepiness lingering in Elodie’s mind.

...

”Hey! Be careful up ahead! The horse carriage carrying waste materials is coming!”

”Damn! The weather today is unbearably hot.”

”One, two, three, lift! One, two, three, lift!”

”Be careful when moving this pillar, it’s already scorched by the fire. Touch it and it’ll crumble, so be careful not to injure yourself.”

...

On the streets of the settlement, workers scurry back and forth.

After the Anti-foreigner Group’s scheme to destroy the settlement was thwarted, the Edo Shogunate organized a large number of workers to clear the ruins left by the fire.

Thanks to the workers’ relentless efforts, most of the buildings damaged by fire in the settlement had been cleared.

The originally densely packed settlement now feels desolate and quiet due to the few remaining intact buildings... For a long time, this place shall not regain its former prosperity.

Elodie and her family were incredibly fortunate—their home was one of the few buildings that escaped the ravages of the fire waves.

With the house intact, having a place to live, unlike those whose homes were burnt down needing to seek other dwellings... It’s a blessing in disguise for them.

Elodie gradually lifted her gaze, ceasing to watch the busy workers on the street and instead gazing up at the sky, clear and cloudless.

The gentle sunlight bathed Elodie’s face, irresistibly causing her to half-close her eyes.

Her sapphire-like eyes became even more dazzling under the direct sunlight.

The wind blowing from the distant horizon brought more refreshing coolness, occasionally accompanied by the tender chirping of young orioles... but Elodie seemed oblivious to all this, standing motionless, gazing absently at the sky.

More precisely, looking at a place even farther than the sky.

Like gazing into the depths of distant worlds, hidden within her eyes seemed to be a special emotion. In other words, it could be described as ”longing” or ”yearning”.

Even though it has been exactly ten days, the scenes of that night remain vivid before Elodie’s eyes.

Over these ten days, almost every night she dreamt of that night.

Dreaming of the lone figure of that swordsman standing against formidable enemies...

Recalling those scenes that once again appeared in her dream, Elodie’s gaze slightly swayed... seemingly pondering something.

Actually, this is Elodie’s usual state during this period.

Since that night, every time Elodie found herself alone, she would display this thoughtful expression.

Time passed for quite a while.

Until the sunshine striking Elodie’s face no longer felt gentle, and the orange-yellow light gradually brought the unique summer warmth, Elodie finally stepped away from the window with small steps, heading to the desk beside her, pulling a delicate box placed beside the desk.

With a ”click,” Elodie slowly opened the box... Within holds Elodie’s ”sword,” that wooden thrusting sword.

Her slender, delicate fingers gently slid from the sword’s tip to the hilt... Elodie stroked the beloved sword’s body with a dusting-like delicate motion.

The gaze that was slightly swaying earlier gradually became focused at this moment.

At this moment, Elodie hesitated no more.

After ten days of pondering and hesitating, Elodie finally made a certain decision.

Elodie took a deep breath and forcefully closed the sword box.

At that moment, a sound of the door opening came from behind Elodie.

Maid Leroy, holding a pale yellow children’s kimono, gently pushed open the room’s door and walked in.

”Miss, you woke up quite early today.” Leroy raised her eyebrows in surprise.

”Yes. Perhaps it’s because I went to bed earlier last night.” Elodie came back to herself, gave Leroy a slight smile, and then fixed her gaze on the pale yellow kimono in Leroy’s arms.